After a little more than a year featuring others, we decided to turn our microphone and our focus on YOU — well, at least four of the people that make up the YOU of why we do Catholic Vitamins. We tried to do this with a focus on our faith, and we have four very different guests for today’s program.
And so our first mini-interview is with LAUREN ROGERS. She’s a single woman who left Beaumont, Texas to come to Phoenix and live and work with and for the poor for (at least) a year. In concert with her spiritual director, Lauren found a place called Andre House. Here’s a little write up from their website:
Andre House is a ministry to the homeless and poor populations of the Phoenix area. Located in the heart of the Capital Mall District, we make our services available to hundreds of people in need every day. Andre House was founded by two Holy Cross Priests in 1984, combining elements of the Catholic Worker movement with the charism of the Congregation of Holy Cross. We dedicate ourselves to serving Jesus through others, as we are challenged in the Gospel: “I was hungry, and you gave me food. I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink. I was a stranger, and you welcomed me. I was naked, and you gave me clothing. I was sick, and you took care of me. I was in prison, and you visited me.” (Matthew 25:35-36)
Please consider joining us in our mission through your donations, your time and talent, and your prayers. If you have any questions, call us at (602) 255-0580. The Andre House website address is: www.andrehouse.org
Thank you Lauren for helping to remind us of the need to focus on the poor among us. Next weekend is the 26th Week in Ordinary Time. In the Gospel for that day, Jesus gives us the story of Lazarus and the rich man. Jesus tells us to concentrate on the poor in that beautiful and multifaceted parable.
Brother Andre Bessette1845 – 1937
Andre House is inspired by and named after a Holy Cross Brother, Andre Bessette, who was known for offering a welcoming presence to the afflicted, hope for the discouraged, and healing for the sick. He is beatified by the Roman Catholic Church and soon will likely be canonized a saint. Andre was born in 1845 to a family of 12 and was orphaned at an early age. Plagued by bad health and poverty, he spent his first twenty-five years wandering as a laborer on farms and in factories in both Canada and the United States. At one point, he even worked as a manual laborer in a young, western city named Phoenix. In 1870, back in Canada, he joined the Holy Cross Community in Montreal. He was given simple work as a janitor and door-keeper at a Holy Cross school. Soon he became known as a kind person with a great faith who was willing to listen. Those who visited him found a hospitable presence, comfort, and healing. Very often, they also found relief of mind and body. Brother Andre’s reputation as a healer spread to the point that thousands flocked to him daily. On January 6, 1937, over a million people gathered for the funeral services of Brother Andre Bessette, then known as the “Miracle Man of Montreal.” The epitaph on his gravestone sums up his life: ¨Pauper Servis et humilis: A poor and humble servant.¨ In a homily honoring Brother Andre, Pope John Paul II said: “A daily crowd of the sick, the afflicted, the poor of all kinds-those who were handicapped or wounded by life-came to him. They found in his presence a welcome ear, comfort and faith in God. Do not the poor of today have as much need of such love, of such hope, of such education in prayer?” May 23, 1982.
Andre House Needs(New or gently used)
– Whole frozen turkeys & hams
– Ground coffee
– Blankets
– Sleeping bags
– Men’s jeans (sizes 28-38)
– Men’s workboots & sneakers (sizes 8-11)
– White tube socks
– Backpacks
– Women’s underwear (sizes 5-12)
– Bra’s of all sizes (especially large)
– Feminine hygiene products
– Toiletries (especially deodorant, razors, toothbrushes & toothpaste)
– Multi-vitamins, cough drops, ibuprofin, aspirin, etc
JOE MCCLANE — THE CATHOLIC HACK
Our next guest when looking at “You” is the wonderfully connected and vitamin-powered JOE McCLANE. He’s a veteran podcaster, formerly a radio broadcaster. He books a lot of well-known (and some not-so-known) guests on his show. During our time in the interview, I talked about when Joe was able to interview Scott Hahn. You can find Joe and his many activities over at his website: www.catholichack.com
In addition to podcasting, Joe is available for speaking engagements, evenings of renewal and chastity talks. Joe shared part of his story with us on our Catholic Vitamins and we found out that Joe has become passionate about ending pornography, especially as a ministry to men.
Joe told us he also is offering New Media Consulting, Promotions & Production. So if you are interested in a technical guru and guide to help you get started or broaden your scope and outreach, we invite you to visit Joe McClane’s website. http://www.catholichack.com/book-the-hack/new-media-consulting-promotion-production/
APRIL SWENSON: Catholic Wife, Mom and Friend of Catholic New Media.
And then, special thanks for a visit and overview of the life and times of the beautiful April Swenson from the Hill Country of Texas. April is a Catholic wife, mother and now a teacher of the faith for parents seeking Baptism of their children. And with her husband Shannon, April is also involved in Marriage work in her parish. Thank you for being a YOU who listens to and is connected with so many of us in new media. If you’d like to e-meet April, she’s found on facebook at
http://www.facebook.com/aprilswenson?ref=ts
And you might ask her when she’s going to do her next triathlon!
Blessings April. Thanks so much.
JAMES MAZZUCHI of Our Catholic Life Podcast
Ever since I first heard James and Jodi on the Our Catholic Life podcast, I hoped we would get to meet and become real friends rather than just new media internet friends. We haven’t had that meeting yet – but they are a great couple and a wonderful family. (Note to James: Stop cutting in on Jodi when she’s talking! :-))
It was a joy to spend 15 minutes or so with James as we talked about his faith journey and about how he met Jodi. The rest is, as they say history. If you haven’t listened to them — see if you don’t get hooked on this neat, down-to-earth family from Illinois.
Blessings James (& Jodi). Blessings kids. Thank you for your part in new media evangelization.
http://ourcatholiclife.libsyn.com/
Thanks to all who visited Catholic Vitamins for this focus on YOU — the reason why we do our podcast.
Our closing music is by the kind permission of a delightful singer Jody Gnant from her album PIVOT and this song is GREAT DAY. Go out and make it a Great (& Holy) Day!